A Perthshire couple have exclusively told STV News they thought they were going to die when three masked attackers stormed into their home.
Gordon Barnes and his partner Annabelle Hutchison were targeted at their house in Dalcrue, near Pitcairngreen, by a trio of raiders demanding cash during a terrifying ordeal.
Gordon was threatened with a knife, before having a bag put over his head and being thrown into a raging river that runs past the scrapyard owned by family members where their home is located.
Meanwhile, Annabelle was held in her room where she could hear the torturers threatening to kill Gordon and her beloved pet cat.
Annabelle said she had been in her bed reading a book when she looked up and saw a masked attacker standing at the end of her bed.
She said: "He was dressed in black and was wearing a balaclava - I thought it was a joke and I laughed a bit. But he came round and pulled me out of bed and got me through to the living room where I found Gordon and another two men in balaclavas.
"They tied me up - but it was Gordon they were really threatening because they didn't believe we knew nothing about the business and didn't have any cash. They eventually pulled me through to the bedroom because they were going to torture my man. Gordon was left with these guys.
"They did say they were going to kill him and they wanted me tied up in the bedroom because they didn't want me to see what was going on. They even threatened to slit my cat's throat. I heard a lot of shouting and that was the worst torture because I thought they were killing Gordon.
"They had axes and hammers and even took my kitchen bread knife and I honestly thought they were killing him. The man said to me - 'your man's going in the river - he's all trussed up and I will drown - and you're next'.
"Innocent people can’t be put through that - I just can’t believe we have escaped and we are alive. We really need these dreadful people to be caught because they will do it again to someone else."
Gordon said: "It was really terrifying and horrifying. When they threw me in that river I thought that was it - I'm drowned - I couldn't move. It was so bitterly cold and I couldn't do a thing when I hit that water - but I'm still here.
"We were just sitting watching the TV when suddenly someone came in the door and we were just attacked and tied up. They threatened me with a knife then dragged me across the yard and in to the river.
"They were demanding money - but there's nothing here - I don't know where they got that impression from. I think they just got it wrong. It's been so peaceful and quite down here - a lovely place and I could envision living here forever - but I don't know about that now."
VIDEO: Extended Interview with Annabelle Hutchison
